Calcutta archdiocese to name Mother Teresa as co-patron

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Kolkata: The Archdiocese of Calcutta plans to declare Mother Teresa as its co-patron on the first anniversary of her canonization.

This was disclosed on September 4 by Sister Mary Prema, superior general of the Missionaries of Charity. “On 6 September we will have at 5:30 pm a holy Mass in the cathedral (The Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary) and the Archbishop is going to declare Mother Teresa as co-patroness of the archdiocese,” she said.

According to Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta, every diocese has a patron and his archdiocese is dedicated to St Francis Xavier, a 16th century saint.

“We wanted to make Mother our co-patroness. We seek her intercession and give her the prominence that is due especially in a city like Calcutta and the Archdiocese of Calcutta,” the prelate added.

Mother Teresa was declared a saint on September 4, 2016, by Pope Francis during a ceremony at the Vatican watched by more than 120,000 people. She was beatified in 2003.

On September 4, Sister Prema opened a two-day exhibition of paintings and sculptures on Mother Teresa organized by the Indian National Forum of Art and Culture in association with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Church Art to commemorate the first anniversary of the Nobel laureate’s canonization.

The exposition by upcoming artists will be taken to different cities across India.

The superior general said they get requests from many churches for a relic of Mother Teresa. “We willingly give it to them. There are many churches in the world that already have a place preserved in their church where the relic of the Mother will be venerated,” she added.

Sister Prema, the third head of the congregation, said the characteristic blue-and-white pattern sari associated with the nun and the order she founded is registered as a trademark now.

“In order to have it protected for Mother’s interests… it’s not to be used for fundraising. It’s registered as a trademark,” she clarified.